Buying into the earthquake scare is almost too expensive

The latest earthquakes recorded in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest

It will take a lot more than a $30 survival kit to prepare for the big earthquake that a writer from The New Yorker reports is going to decimate areas of Washington.

While weighing his options for kits, KIRO Radio’s Ron Upshaw had to choose between his cheap side and his sensible side. He ended up buying a $150 kit to help him survive the days after a large-magnitude quake.

Ron then realized, after buying the kit, that he would need more than a kit to survive for more than a few days. In the event of a big quake, each person should have about two weeks worth of food.

“Maybe you need live chickens,” KIRO Radio’s Don O’Neill suggested. Or, freeze-dried food.

Earthquake preparedness is a discussion that has continued to gain momentum since The New Yorker article. The Seattle Times reports survival kits are selling at a rapid pace, but only about one-quarter of Seattleites are actively putting together a kit and developing a plan.

The rush for kits is similar to that of any event that scares consumers into purchasing more. The Times reports after 9/11, sales of kits were high for about a year-and-a-half.

A company that retrofits homes for earthquakes told the Times there is now a six-month waiting list.

“None of us are ready for a big earthquake,” Ron said.

One of the issues with having food stored away for an emergency is it ends up being eaten, Don said.

“If canned goods are too good, you break into them,” he said. That’s why Don suggests freeze-dried food, because when you are trying to decide between that and pizza, you’re going to go with the pizza.

Don also suggest burying a few thousand dollars, because pulling money out of a bank account is going to be near impossible after a major quake.

On the upside, when the big one hits, Ron will have plenty of wine at his home in Woodinville.